Marcel Rochas
Auteur(s) : Hannah Morelle
Although Marcel Rochas (1902–1955) left his mark on fashion history from the 1920s until his death, his work and career are largely unknown. This overlooks the fact that he was hugely famous in his day, on a par with Patou, Schiaparelli and Lelong, and that his fame extended far beyond France's borders.
Rochas entered the world of couture somewhat by chance: he designed simple, youthful, elegant and sporty lines, reflecting the image of his young wife Yvonne, which set him apart and brought him his first successes. From then on, and in line with his marriages, he continued to offer a constantly evolving vision of women and to reinvent his style. He experimented in all directions, playing with shapes, patterns, fabrics and textures. He received unprecedented media coverage, which he knew how to exploit to his advantage. His contribution was not limited to haute couture: Rochas opened a boutique selling more affordable clothing and a range of accessories. He also designed costumes for theatre and cinema, and developed a communication system that he applied to all types of media.
This book traces Marcel Rochas' career, placing him at the heart of fashion history. It presents the full extent of the work of a man who was at once a fashion designer, businessman, socialite, media personality and savvy communicator... always with a certain sense of audacity.
